a fraternity for veterans?

[als463]

Originally Posted by SigEpLegacy

First and foremost, thank you for your dedication to the Nation. For the record, I never had any plans of colonization or anything of that nature. I was interested in peoples thoughts regarding the establishment of such a fraternity. You may be rite regarding my stance on talking to 18 year olds. However, a lot people that I talk to around that age and asks about my tours in Iraq asks "have you killed anyone?" or makes stupid remarks like, "Man, if I was there I would be killing everything." Like being in a freaking warzone is a party or something. That's why I don't tell people I'm in the military when I meet them. I only tell them when asked. Thank you for your insight. It was very helpful.

Yeah, I got questions like that, too. It's because people are curious-we def. can't fault them for that. When someone asks, "So-what was Iraq like?" I say something like, "Hot!" or "Sandy!" That kind of lets them know that I don't want to talk about it. When people say, "Did you kill anyone?" I like to say, "You don't have the proper clearance for that information" because I was an Intelligence Analyst...lol...People will get the idea that it's not something you want them to harp on. Sure, I talked about it during rush but, then I would talk about my love for certain music or the fact that I love to travel. I also talked about being a double major and having a good GPA. Once you get passed the "Wow....you were in Iraq" you find that people are accepting of it. I really hate to say it this way but, honestly-as a Man-you have it much easier going through recruitment saying you are a war veteran than most women....it's a sexist remark and I'll probably get blasted for it...but, it really is true.

Men in the military are seen as "tough" and "cool"...whereas, women in the military are applauded but, unless you have family members who have/ are served/ serving-you might expect something else from an Army woman. If you could've seen the looks on the guys faces when I walked into the room after being bragged about for being a war vet-it was priceless. They said, "We didn't expect that at all." I was short, tan, had long hair, etc. They expected something totally different. They didn't expect such a "feminine" (in their words-not mine) looking war veteran. I'm glad I went through rush and it was the best experience of my life. I've met some great people in both my sorority and in others! I've met some great people on GreekChat that have given some great advice, as well.

So, if you can take my advice (and the advice of others) please change your username because I don't want to see people harassing you for being so ballsy. I think it's great you are a Legacy and I wish you the best of luck in recruitment/ rush (whatever it is they call it for the guys-sorry)!

[navane]

SigEpLegacy,

Every day, I work with military students during the course of my professional employment at San Diego State University. In my experience, my vets have found positive and uplifting ways of connecting with one another, other students and the campus.

When he came to SDSU, one Marine vet felt he was lacking a connection with others who could identify with him. So, he took the initiative to form a campus club called the Student Veteran Organization (SVO). SVO is now going strong and makes a HUGE difference in the lives of our military students by offering camaraderie, support and service. They get prime billing at our campus Veterans Office and actually have a lot of clout. Do consider looking into forming this type of organization. More info here: http://www.svosdsu.org/

SVO is so squared away that they just got approved to offer on-campus housing exclusively for veterans. They will be occupying a vacant fraternity house on SDSU's Fraternity Row. Check it out here: http://www.sdsu.edu/veterans

So, yes, it is possible to find those connections you are seeking without necessarily needing a fraternity specifically for veterans.

If that's not enough, as others have suggested, it is possible to join a [regular] fraternity outright. I currently advise a fraternity chapter - the president is a Marine!

I hope some of this helps!

.....Kelly

[greeksrpansys]

Originally Posted by als463

Yeah, I got questions like that, too. It's because people are curious-we def. can't fault them for that. When someone asks, "So-what was Iraq like?" I say something like, "Hot!" or "Sandy!" That kind of lets them know that I don't want to talk about it. When people say, "Did you kill anyone?" I like to say, "You don't have the proper clearance for that information" because I was an Intelligence Analyst...lol...People will get the idea that it's not something you want them to harp on. Sure, I talked about it during rush but, then I would talk about my love for certain music or the fact that I love to travel. I also talked about being a double major and having a good GPA. Once you get passed the "Wow....you were in Iraq" you find that people are accepting of it. I really hate to say it this way but, honestly-as a Man-you have it much easier going through recruitment saying you are a war veteran than most women....it's a sexist remark and I'll probably get blasted for it...but, it really is true.

Men in the military are seen as "tough" and "cool"...whereas, women in the military are applauded but, unless you have family members who have/ are served/ serving-you might expect something else from an Army woman. If you could've seen the looks on the guys faces when I walked into the room after being bragged about for being a war vet-it was priceless. They said, "We didn't expect that at all." I was short, tan, had long hair, etc. They expected something totally different. They didn't expect such a "feminine" (in their words-not mine) looking war veteran. I'm glad I went through rush and it was the best experience of my life. I've met some great people in both my sorority and in others! I've met some great people on GreekChat that have given some great advice, as well.

So, if you can take my advice (and the advice of others) please change your username because I don't want to see people harassing you for being so ballsy. I think it's great you are a Legacy and I wish you the best of luck in recruitment/ rush (whatever it is they call it for the guys-sorry)!

what did you do in iraq, get fucked in porto john.. yeah you were there, but you cannot relate to seeing your friend wounded. you'd probably flip shit if someone ran over your cat. go eat a dick you pansy

"a real veteran"

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by SigEpLegacy

I'm not whining at all, just addressing my opinions/concerns. And for the record, I come from a very military family. Most of whom are involved with VFW. I've been around it and it's not my thing. Calm the f*ck down.

First of all, thanks for your service. A lot of us have family that is/was military. I don't think anyone is saying anything against that or the amazing organizations that they are a part of. My grandpa was a WWII vet, my dad a Marine during Vietnam and my uncle is retired Navy. No one said that you had to join these orgs, so why don't you calm down? If you take the time to read what other people are saying you would see that A LOT of fraternities already accept vets. Every university, fraternity, and situation is different. There may not be a need for a vets fraternity.

A while ago someone posted that you should probably change your handle to one that doesn't represent any organization. I agree wholeheartedly. It's pretty ballsy to come on a greek website and say you're a legacy, it's another thing entirely to announce it in your screen name. You're lucky some SigEps haven't already torn you a new one and told you to change it.
My sister is an AOII legacy but if she ever walked around saying that or came to a message board I would hope to goodness people would say something to her. No one is saying it's not great that you're a legacy, but what if you decide to join another organization?

The truth of the matter is that you are NOT a SigEp and should not have their fraternity name in your screen name.

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by AOII_LB93

my dad a Marine during Vietnam

Hey, mine was too!

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think that one of the NIC fraternities was originally founded by all WWII vets, but over the years broadened its focus. Or it would have croaked.

This seems like a good idea NOW since there are a lot of college age vets, but God willing, hopefully that will no longer be the case soon. I know it's easier for fraternities to have a narrower focus than sororities, but if it's something that depends on what is happening in current culture - like combat vets coming home - rather than what someone IS, it's going to fall on hard times as soon as that circumstance no longer exists.

Hm that's a really good point.

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by AOII_LB93

The truth of the matter is that you are NOT a SigEp and should not have their fraternity name in your screen name.

Yup

[txdiva]

A sorority for U.S. Armed Forces Women:
http://www.sigmaphipsi.org

There was a "brother" fraternity, but I can't remember the name...any ideas?

[Psi U MC Vito]

You have a Veteran's Office? I find that to be a very good thing for a school to have.

[navane]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

You have a Veteran's Office? I find that to be a very good thing for a school to have.

Are we thinking of the same thing? I am under the impression that a majority of institutions have an Veteran's Center/Office of Veterans Affairs operated by the college. I don't mean a satellite location of the actual U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs.

We have a brand new website, here it is again! http://www.sdsu.edu/veterans

.....Kelly

[Psi U MC Vito]

No my school doesn't at all. Which is weird as we have an ROTC detachment and are a state operated school .

[pshsx1]

That was stupid.
And on the note of dumbass military men, a Marine (I believe) came up to our booth a few days ago at the Student Org Fair and completely blew us off.. but still put his name down as interested. I hope he doesn't actually expect someone to contact him. I can't even remember what he said, though... it's 3am.

[knight_shadow]

LOL @ the whack resurrection of this thread

How does someone who's so busy with offline and non-Greek events stumble upon GC?

And where was the "disrespect" in this thread? "Chuck" needs to go to hell lol

[Psi U MC Vito]

Never realized you were a combat vet Dekeguy. Thank you very much for your service, and I must say I am impressed with your record.

[dekeguy]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Never realized you were a combat vet Dekeguy. Thank you very much for your service, and I must say I am impressed with your record.

=======================

Appreciate your comment, but please see my response just above this one. I don't like people who brag and I think I came pretty close to it when I answered that out of line rant a few posts ago.

[Boodleboy322]

Fraternal Greetings SigEpLegacy,

I think I've mentioned this on other threads before but here goes again.

Collegiate and University enrollment spiked to record levels as a result of World War II. Many GIs, mostly men, left WWII and began cashing in on their Montgomery GI Bill benefits. This was a great economic driver in the world of higher education. While these GIs attended these colleges and universities they began to join college fraternities on their campuses. Many of these GIs brought the spirit and camaraderie from the battlefield into these collegiate fraternities triggering the genesis of hazing as the media knows it know. Rigorous exercise, sleep deprivation, etc, prior to this era, was not common amongst collegiate GLOs. Most rights of passage for GLOs, prior to WWII, comprised of simple meetings, a religious type initiation ritual, usually with candles and fellowship. Hazing hit an apex on college campuses in the 60s and 70s with movies like "Animal House" and the influence of the media. It continued on through the 80s and into the 90s but began to lose steam with heightened Risk Management practices that have become standardized for many National GLOs.

Anyway, not to get into a separate topic but in my opinion the fraternities suitable for Veterans to enlist in are the exact same ones that already exist. For the record, I do not condone hazing. This was simply a historical snip-it for my fellow GCrs.

Fraternal Regards,

Boodleboy322

Originally Posted by SigEpLegacy

I was wondering if there was a college fraternity for veterans. With the war in Iraq coming to an end, the demand for service members will dwindle. A majority would probably use their GI Bill. I was wondering if such organizations already exist.